PLANS have been submitted to transform derelict former newspaper offices in Crewe's High Street into living accommodation.

The one-time premises of the Crewe Chronicle have been empty since owners, Trinity Mirror, relocated its staff to offices in Victoria Street in the mid noughties.

The old offices at 2 High Street have been boarded and left to fall into a state of disrepair, contributing to the problems along the street, which were highlighted by traders recently in a Crewe Nub News article.

A property management company, Newbury-based Springbank Chronicle, has applied to Cheshire East Council to convert the first floor of the curve-shaped building into two studio flats.

It seeks a certificate of lawful proposed use to change the first floor from newsagent ancillary space to residential accommodation.

There is also a separate planning application from the same company to convert the upper floor next door at No.4 High Street into a residential apartment. The small adjoining terrace building was once a cobblers shop.

It is understood that regeneration cash - of which around £37 million is due to pour into Crewe over the next three years - is being earmarked to target the urban decline of approaches into the town centre.

Areas such as High Street are viewed as ideal for town-centre living.

After leaving High Street, The Chronicle was based for around a decade in Victoria Street before staff moved to remote working arrangements after the office was closed in 2014.

Crewe's High Street also once housed the Stoke Sentinel's Cheshire staff and the office of the Crewe Guardian before the decline of advertising revenues and falling print circulation took its toll on the newspaper industry.

Meanwhile, Cheshire East has received one in a line of many applications it has been fielding for telecommunications masts - this time near to the Coppenhall WMC on Bradfield Road - to enhance digital coverage, including 5G.

EE wants to erect the mast and ground-based equipment cabinets on land near the club to support improved connectivity on trains travelling on the West Coast line, which runs past the club.

The comms firm says the 15-metre-high mast's coverage will also benefit customers in the local area too.

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